The article reviews the role of dopamine in drug abuse and addiction, focusing on the findings from positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. Dopamine is involved in the reinforcing effects of drugs, leading to large and rapid increases in extracellular dopamine levels, which are more intense and prolonged than those induced by physiological processes. These increases in dopamine are associated with the subjective experience of reward and can lead to enhanced salience, attention, arousal, and motivation. However, repeated drug use may reduce the sensitivity to natural reinforcers and increase the threshold for dopamine cell activation, leading to a loss of control over drug intake. Imaging studies show that drug abusers have reduced levels of dopamine D2 receptors and dopamine release, particularly in the striatum. This reduction in dopamine function is linked to decreased activity in regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex (involved in salience attribution), cingulate gyrus (involved in inhibitory control), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (involved in executive function). These changes contribute to compulsive drug intake and reduced sensitivity to natural reinforcers. The article also discusses the role of dopamine in the long-term effects of drug abuse, including adaptive changes in brain structure and function, and the involvement of memory and conditioning mechanisms. It highlights the importance of understanding the vulnerability factors for drug abuse, such as differences in dopamine receptor availability and activity in specific brain regions. Finally, the article suggests therapeutic strategies that aim to restore dopaminergic tone and cortical projection regions, potentially improving prefrontal function, inhibitory control, and motivation for non-drug-related behaviors.The article reviews the role of dopamine in drug abuse and addiction, focusing on the findings from positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. Dopamine is involved in the reinforcing effects of drugs, leading to large and rapid increases in extracellular dopamine levels, which are more intense and prolonged than those induced by physiological processes. These increases in dopamine are associated with the subjective experience of reward and can lead to enhanced salience, attention, arousal, and motivation. However, repeated drug use may reduce the sensitivity to natural reinforcers and increase the threshold for dopamine cell activation, leading to a loss of control over drug intake. Imaging studies show that drug abusers have reduced levels of dopamine D2 receptors and dopamine release, particularly in the striatum. This reduction in dopamine function is linked to decreased activity in regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex (involved in salience attribution), cingulate gyrus (involved in inhibitory control), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (involved in executive function). These changes contribute to compulsive drug intake and reduced sensitivity to natural reinforcers. The article also discusses the role of dopamine in the long-term effects of drug abuse, including adaptive changes in brain structure and function, and the involvement of memory and conditioning mechanisms. It highlights the importance of understanding the vulnerability factors for drug abuse, such as differences in dopamine receptor availability and activity in specific brain regions. Finally, the article suggests therapeutic strategies that aim to restore dopaminergic tone and cortical projection regions, potentially improving prefrontal function, inhibitory control, and motivation for non-drug-related behaviors.